6 Air Mattress Alternatives

I’m so thankful that my family’s home is large enough that we are able to use one bedroom as a guest room. However, sometimes one guest room isn’t enough to accommodate all of our guests! For example, my husband’s youngest brother and his girlfriend came for a short visit a couple of weeks ago. Their visit happened to coincide with a visit from my parents.

In the process of trying to figure out who was going the sleep where, we had an air mattress go flat. This got me thinking about air mattress alternatives. Over the course of my adult life, I’ve owned a couple of different air mattresses. None of these were particularly comfortable and they all developed holes relatively quickly. Between these issues and the safety questions surrounding the materials used to create air mattresses, I’m ready for an alternative!

Of course, not just any alternative will work. The reason we have owned air mattresses is because they are pretty affordable and they don’t require a lot of room to store. We need an alternative with these same characteristics.

Do many alternatives exist? I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of options I discovered.

Alternatives to air mattresses

Cots

When I think of cots, I think of rudimentary structures that aren’t very comfortable. It turns out, though, that cots have come a long way! There are a lot of varieties available. Depending on the features you’re looking for, you can get a cot for around $20 or for over $100. Their affordability and size (they disassemble or fold for storage) make them great alternatives to air mattresses. For a basic cot that is sturdy and easy to assemble, consider the Coleman Trailhead II Camping Cot. For a compact, lightweight cot, consider the FE Active Folding Camping Cot. If you need a cot for two, then consider the KingCamp Oversized Adult Wide Camping Cot or the Disc-O-Bed Large Bunk Cots.

Futon mattresses

In the West, we often conceptualize a “futon” as a sofa bed, but a traditional Japanese futon is a quilted mattress that can be spread out on the floor for use as a bed. Futons save space because they can be folded and stored away during the day, allowing the room to be used for purposes other than as a bedroom. For a simple futon that is comfortable and durable, consider the FULI Japanese Futon Mattress. For a slightly thicker futon that comes with a storage bag, try the Japanese Roll Up Padded Mattress. Whatever type you choose, be sure to get a fitted futon mattress cover to keep the mattress clean. Though it is not a futon, the SleepReady Portable Floor Mattress serves a similar purpose. This memory foam mattress rolls up and can be easily secured using straps that are sewn to the back of the mattress.

Sleeping bags

A sleeping bag isn’t all that different from a futon, especially if you sleep on top of it instead of in it. If you shop around, you can find affordable ones that are also reasonably thick, so they will be quite comfortable on carpeted floors (if you have wood or tile floors, consider pairing each sleeping bag with a camping mat). Two basic, reasonably priced sleeping bags include the Coleman Brazos Cold-Weather Sleeping Bag and the TETON Sports Celsius Sleeping Bag. Double sleeping bags, such as the Coleman Tandem 3-in-1 Double Sleeping Bag, are an option if you need space for two.

Sofa bed mattresses

If you have a sofa bed, then you already have an option for a temporary bed. Unfortunately, we don’t have a sofa bed, nor are we in the market for one. However, a replacement sofa bed mattress is a reasonable alternative to an air mattress. Like a futon, it can be spread out on the floor when needed and then folded and stored when not in use. These mattresses are a bit more expensive than several of the options listed here, but they are worth considering. Comfortable options include the Milliard 4.5-Inch Memory Foam Replacement Mattress for Queen Sleeper Sofa, the Classic Brands 4.5-Inch Cool Gel Memory Foam Replacement Mattress, and the DynastyMattress 4-inch Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress. Whichever you choose, consider using a Sleeper Sofa Mattress Protector to prevent damage to the mattress.

Folding mattresses

Folding mattresses are somewhat similar to sofa bad mattresses, except they aren’t designed for use on a sofa bed and they come in a larger variety of sizes. These mattresses are designed for temporary use, so they fold compactly (many manufactures offer carrying cases that provide convenient storage for the mattresses). I’ve seen many of these listed at prices that are more affordable than typical sofa bed mattresses. Folding mattresses are available in twin, full, and queen sizes. Some even have the versatility of forming a couch of sorts when folded.

Hammocks

Hammocks aren’t a realistic option for every family because many of us don’t have places to hang them. If you do, then hammocks are a very affordable and compact air mattress alternative. They are also lots of fun! If you don’t have a place to hang a hammock, then you can always purchase a stand. Some of these aren’t compact, but portable, space-saving designs are available. If you have a place to hang a hammock or enough storage space for a stand, then you might be able to make this unique option work! Comfortable, durable options include the Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Hammock and the Kootek Camping Hammock.

Final thoughts

We haven’t decided which of these options to choose, but I really like several of them! I think it’s safe to say that our days of inflating air mattresses are drawing to a close!

I’d love to hear what you do when you have guests. Where does everyone sleep? Do you use air mattresses or have you found suitable alternatives?

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